Manitoba pharmacists now able to perform COVID-19 rapid tests
The Manitoba government is now allowing pharmacists to perform COVID-19 rapid tests for people who are looking to travel outside of the province.
Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon announced that all Manitoba pharmacies will be able to do rapid antigen tests and rapid molecular tests.
Gordon said this new order is effective as of Monday, and pharmacies will be responsible for acquiring supplies, training their staff, and setting a price for the test.
"These measures enable pharmacists to expand services for all Manitobans by performing, interpreting, and providing results to these tests to people who require a negative test to travel," said Gordon. "This is an important change that builds capacity and provides more options for travellers."
Ashley Hart, the president of Pharmacists Manitoba, said it is exciting that pharmacies will be able to perform tests for Manitobans.
"Rapid testing in pharmacies is another small step towards bringing Manitoba in line with the advanced pharmacy practices seen in other provinces across Canada," said Hart.
"We look forward to providing Manitobans access to convenient rapid testing services and participating pharmacies will be working hard in the coming days and weeks to make this available in communities across the province."
Hart said people are asked to confirm the type of test that is needed for their destination and that confirmation of travel plans will need to be presented at the pharmacy.
Gordon said there will be no subsidies from the province and that each location is responsible for setting prices.
Hart added the tests will be able to be done in the pharmacy and the pharmacists will be able to provide the results to customers.
"The interpretation will be done by the pharmacists as well and documentation will be provided to the patient," said Hart.
She noted people will still be required to wait in line if others are at the pharmacy and they will have to wait for the test to be completed as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.